The vegetation and soil characteristics of degraded alpine meadow

The study on characteristics of vegetation and soil nutritional features of alpine meadow under different degradation gradients were conducted in Tianzhu, Gansu Province. Results showed that the aboveground biomass, vegetation height, coverage, the soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and soil water contents significantly decreased (P<0.05) along with the degrees of degradation. Soil bulk density in severe degradation significantly increased (P<0.05). Grassland community showed degraded succession significantly such as the dominant species of Kobresia humilis, K. capillifolia, and Elymus nutans were replaced by Polygonum viviparum. The species number decreased from 19 to 7 and the degraded plants biomass fraction increased from 9.77% to 62.93%. The characteristics of vegetation and soil nutritional features could be affected by degradation degrees, so the relevant strategies for restoration should be provided based on degradation degrees.